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Posted at 1:05 PM EST (1805 GMT)
Nov. 20th, 2008 -- DOSWELL, VA – Kings Dominion will debut two new family rides when the park opens for its 2009 season. Americana, a giant 110-foot Ferris wheel, and El Dorado, a high-in-the-sky swinging pendulum ride will be added to Kings Dominion’s impressive lineup of family friendly attractions. Americana and El Dorado will be located in the amusement park’s Grove area, adjacent to the Rebel Yell and Hurler roller coasters.
Americana, the first Ferris wheel to be introduced at Kings Dominion in the park’s 35-year history, will feature 24 six-person gondolas that the entire family, including adventuresome grandparents can enjoy. Ferris wheels have long been a staple of American amusement parks since the rides introduction at the Chicago World Expo in 1893, and Kings Dominion’s new Americana Ferris wheel will bring the history and romance of a boardwalk favorite to the park’s midway in 2009.
El Dorado is a family friendly thrill ride that sits up to 40 riders in a blue 1950’s style El Dorado convertible car. The car acts as a pendulum, as it rotates riders to a height of 85 feet in the air in two different directions during an approximately two minute ride. El Dorado takes the concept of the family “going for a spin” to a whole new level.
The two new ride additions will compliment the other 60 rides and attractions Kings Dominion offers, making the park one of the largest amusement parks in the eastern region of the United States. “The addition of Americana and El Dorado reflects our commitment to offering entertaining and exciting rides and attractions for the entire family,” said Pat Jones, Kings Dominion’s vice president and general manager. “With the introduction of the popular Dominator rollercoaster in 2008, and now Americana and El Dorado in 2009, Kings Dominion is leading the way in providing great value for families while creating memories that last a lifetime.”
Kings Dominion is a 400-acre amusement park and waterpark, that is home to over 60 total rides, slides, live shows and attractions. The park features one of the largest roller coaster collections on the East-Coast, with 14 World-Class scream-machines, two children’s areas, and WaterWorks, a 20-acre water playground. Kings Dominion is located at exit 98 on I-95, north of Richmond. Kings Dominion will re-open for the 2009 season on Saturday, April 4. For more information about Kings Dominion please visit www.KingsDominion.com.
Kings Dominion is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Kings Dominion, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six waterparks, one indoor waterpark resort, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.
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Carowinds 73-03
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12515
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WOW! KD won't open till April 4th. I don't recall the park ever opening that late.
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| 11/20/2008 1:46 PM |
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Katie
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2270
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I love how they say they are two "NEW" rides. God, can't they just say we moved them from another park in the chain?
OMGZors I am going to Kings Dominion because they are getting a new ride and ferris wheel. HOLY CRAP Best park EVAR!
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| 11/20/2008 2:50 PM |
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Wes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11481
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Yeah, I'm going to KD instead of Great Adventure next year. Who needs prefab wood when you can ride a new Ferris wheel!
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| 11/20/2008 3:32 PM |
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Carowinds 73-03
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12515
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I do plan to go to KD next season but only cause i have not been on Dominator since 2000.
Carowinds did the same thing calling it a NEW coaster.
Yes we know it's used but the park does not want the GP to know the ride(s) are used.
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| 11/20/2008 3:35 PM |
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James
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10994
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No one is gonna make you go to KD....
I go FOR FUN :O.. Every spring. I love going to KD.. and I plan on going next year too!
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| 11/20/2008 4:44 PM |
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CoasterDJ
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 578
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I hope to go to KD in 2009 as well, but it isn't specifically for either of their new rides, or even for Dominator. If I can get back up there during the summer, more so than anything else it will be to experience the "New to the park" rides, but more so, my favorites that the park already has. And it is understood that for the general public, they dont care if they are new or just new to the park. The key is that it is still new overall, even if it is just moved to another part of the country (and I do not know that it would work as well if it is directly from another park "in that region")
And finally, I agree that I do not recall Kings Dominion ever opening this late in the season...usually mid to late March...but April 4 is really not that late overall as it is only a tweak of a week or so.
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| 11/21/2008 3:29 AM |
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Chris L
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7454
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Katie, for the park, it IS new. Did you ever take a marketing course in college?
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| 11/22/2008 12:00 AM |
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Michael C
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2226
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I was surprised to hear they have never had a Ferris wheel before. I'm sure they will be great additions for those locals that visit the park.
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| 11/22/2008 10:48 PM |
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